As Americans wait to learn whether the Supreme Court will strike down the keystone of the national health care law, some members of Congress are trying to dismantle other provisions that will, if left in place, cost health care consumers dearly.
Later this month, high court justices will release a ruling on the ''Obamacare'' mandate that everyone obtain government-approved insurance. In the meantime, provisions of the law, such as a 2.3 percent tax on medical devices, are under attack.
It has been pointed out the tax would affect everything from tongue depressors to wheelchairs. Manufacturers could either cut expenses for work such as research, or pass the cost on to consumers. A bill to rescind the tax was approved by a wide margin, 270-146, in the House of Representatives.
The $29 billion cost in lost revenue from repealing the device tax would be covered by requiring low- to middle-income individuals who buy subsidized coverage in the Affordable Care Act's health exchanges to return overpayments they may receive.
Members of the Senate should follow suit. Those who refuse to vote against the tax should be prepared to explain to voters why they support President Barack Obama's law instead of their constituents.